BOROUGH COUNCIL

Wairarapa Daily Times, 21 December 1932, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The Masterton 'Borough Council held its final meeting of the year last night, when there were present: —The Mayor (Mr T. Jordan), Crs. Saunders, Rippon, O’Leary, Beetham, Judd, Peacock, Free, Russell, White and Low. An application by the \\ airarapa Cricket Association for the use of the Park Oval on 2nd and 3rd January for the purpose of playing a match against Manawatu was granted. A further application from the Association for permission to take round a collection box during matches at the Park was refused. A copy of the deed of lease of the proposed* site was received for approval from the Motor Camping Site Committee. The Works and Finance Committee recommended that, suli’cjt tm the solicitor’s certificate and ”!*nor alterations in the lease, the Council accept liability for the installation of drainage, water and gas at the camp, but should not accept responsibility for the cost of the caretaker. ‘■The point that is exercising my mind, is that we may lie adding to the liabilities of the ratepayers of the town at- a time when we ought, to be doing our best to lessen their burdens,” observed the Mayor, in the course of a discussion on the lease of the proposed motor camping site in Opaki Road. “At the same time,” said the Mayor, “we do not want to put a damper on the proposal. ” Cr. Rippon: “if we adopt this recommendation, the whole thing is going to be our baby. Except for the fees collected, the whole cost of . upkeep would eventually have to be borne by the council.” Or. Russell said that he was not sufficiently conversant with the terms of the lease to spend £llO of the ratepayers’ money on a camping site, or to saddle an incoming Council with such a burden. lie moved, as an amendment, that the Council do not accept any liability for the camping site. The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder.

If the recommendation were adopted, said Cr. Low, the Council would be committed to an expense of £llO for the equipment- of the camp. If the c-amp was a. success, the revenue would probably be sufficient to pay expenses. The Mayor: “That is the point. It may and it may not be successful. If the committee can raise funds in any way to get a caretaker, then do not let us throw cold water on the scheme.” After some-further discussion it was decided, on; the motion of Cr. Peacock, that consideration of the matter be deferred until next meeting, and that in The meantime Councillors acquaint themselves with the whole position. WORKS AND FINANCE.

The Works and Finance Committee reported, inter alia: —It was decided that, in response to a letter received from the Wairarapa Hospital Board, asking whether the Council can provide work within the Borough for a number of single men classified as 82, that we regret we have no room for these men. That the offer of £3O made by Messrs Logan and Whiteman on behalf of a client, in satisfaction of the balance owing on a deferred drainage account; be accepted. A letter was received from a Lansdownc resident, expressing concern at the number of unsightly buildings which are being erected in the district, and appealing to the Council to prevent the growing up of a slum area among nice homes, etc. —lt was decided that we are entirely in sympathy with the Lansdownc resident, but the powers of the Council are limited. We will, however, regulate the class of building to be erected, as far as we have the power. That the Mayor’s action in accepting £l3 10s in satisfaction of the balance owing by a resident on her deferred drainage account, be confirmed. That the balance of rates owing on three properties taken over by the Crown, be written off. That three residents whose accounts for culverts are long overdue, be given seven days in which to pay; failing payment, that the accounts be handed to the borough solicitor for collection. In the matter of a complaint from the headmaster of the Lansdownc school (re cattle being driven past the school), and referred back from the last meeting, that the resolution, No. 3623, December, 1929, providing for the removal of stock before S a.m., and after 4.30 p.m., be rescinded. A letter was received from the borough solicitor on the 23th ult., with copy of letter from Mr Page, solicitor for Miss Anderson (lessee of the borough reserve), concerning her rent. In reply, that we agree to the suggested arrangement contained in Mr Page’s letter of the 25th rdt., as from 2nd June, 1932, conditionally on the amount of £2OO being paid forthwith. That the application from Messrs Levin and Co. for permission to store dry skins and hides in their store. Alcura Road, be granted. I'll at permission be not granted Mr Betts to store dry skins in the particular locality for which he applies, but should lie apply for permission to store dry skins in a building approved by our inspector, we are prepared to grant his application. A letter was received from the Sanitary Inspectors’ Association. asking the Council to grant their inspector the necessary leave and facilities to attend their conference, to be held at Auckland from the 2-lth to 2Sth January, 1933. It was decided that permission be granted Inspector Russell to attend. That the chairman of the Trust Lands Trust be informed that the Council are unable to make any contribution toward the cost of Macara Street, except to allow our engineer to supervise the work. - PARK AND LIBRARY. The Park, Hall and Library Committee reported, inter alia, as follows: —

It was decided: That the application from the Mastertonj Amateur Athletic Club for the use of the Park Oval on 23rd January, 1933, for the purpose of holding a sports meeting, with the right to charge for admission, be granted, on the same conditions as last year. That the custodian be given authority to use his discretion re the number of campers to be allowed to use the horse paddock at the same time. That in the matter of an account (for lighting the halls) owing by the secretary in. connection with the community sings, he be requested to furnish a balance sheet covering the three occasions on which community sings were held. A letter was received from the lessee of the corner shop, applying for a 20 per cent reduction in his rent as from I Ist April, 1932. In reply, that the application be granted. That the engineer lie requested to report to the next meeting on the question of improving the. entrance to the cemetery, by the Kiosk. Arising from the Cemetery Bylaws, that tradesmen be allowed to take lorries into the cemetery in connection with their work, and that workmen be allowed to ride their bicycles in the cemetery when proceeding to their jobs, and that the sexton be notified accordingly. In reply to a letter from Mrs Mace (held over from the last meet--11 ig), that Mrs Mace be informed that the question of fences generally around the cemetery is under consideration. A letter was received from the managing secretary of the Hospital Board, stating it had been found that the tenderer for funerals payable by the Board is paying certain cemetery fees, etc. It was decided that the Board be thanked for their letter, and informed that in future, on the production of a certificate signed by a Justice, in accordance with Section 25 (1) of the Cemeteries Act, 190.8, the Act will be complied with. 111 the matter of preparing practice wickets on the oval, it was decided that the custodian be informed that the Park staff arc to water and cut the pitches, and those using the same arc to be responsible for all the rolling necessary. . GAS AND ABATTOIR. The Gas and Abattoir Committee reported, inter alia, as follows:—It was decided that an outstanding abattoir account owing by Messrs Butcher and Sirett, who have ceased operations, be left in the hands of the chairman. That a letter lie sent to all master butchers using the abattoir, advising them that accounts must lie paid on or before the 7th of the month. A letter was received from the State Coal Depot, stating that, subject to an order being placed for 2000 tons of Liverpool unscreened coal during the ensuing twelve months, the reduction in price will lie 7d per ton. Tt was decided that the depot be advised that their offer is accepted, and informed that, in accepting their offer, the Council assumes that the present standard of coal will be maintained. A letter was received from Airs A. A. Wilson, stating that the allocation of coke per month was insufficient for her business, etc. It was decided, that Airs Wilson be advised that the gas committee finds it impossible to increase her present allocation, but should she care to get into communication with the gas manager, she will bo informed where she can augment her supply from an outside source. It was resolved that from the date hereof, and until further notice, the supplies of coke to householders (other than those who are already on the quote basis) be rationed as follows: —To gas consumers, 3 bags per month; to gas consumers with combination cookers, 4 bags per month; to non-gas consumers, nil.